After years of restricted use, gel implants now widely available for breast augmentation. A panel of doctors from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery are concluding that new silicone-gel implants are “an exciting choice for women”.

“Silicone gel implants are an excellent option for thin women with very little breast or muscle tissue on the chest, since saline would not leave them with as good a result,” said Dr. Nahai.”

Overall, it is really a matter of patient choice and appropriate patient selection. There are some patients who simply would not have as good a result with one type of implant versus the other, and there are some women whose result would be equally good with saline or silicone.”

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) has announced that a panel of surgeons will discuss the use of silicone gel implants at the Society’s Annual Meeting, being held at the Javits Convention Center in New York City, April 19-24, 2007.

“Silicone Gel Implants - What Are the Advantages?” will be moderated by Foad Nahai, MD, President-Elect & Chair of ASAPS Breast Surgery Committee, and will include William P. Adams, Jr., MD, Dennis C. Hammond, MD, G. Patrick Maxwell, MD, and Michael Scheflan, MD. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the marketing and use of silicone gel-filled breast implants for breast augmentation in women ages 22 and older in November 2006, after over a decade of use restricted primarily to breast reconstruction patients.

“Evidence-based medicine has now documented the safety, efficacy, and potential advantages of silicone gel breast implants. This will allow American women to have the same opportunities and choices as their international counterparts in making important personal health and aesthetic decisions regarding their femininity,” said Dr. Maxwell.

The change in the availability of silicone gel implants has created new options for women considering breast surgery for the first time, for those who have had previous surgeries but are seeking implant replacement or revision, and for patients who are not good candidates for saline implants.

Panelists will discuss the advantages and pitfalls of using silicone gel implants, choosing between saline and silicone gel implants, implant handling and placement, complications, post-operative management, long term follow up, latest advancements in implant design and surgery, and evaluation of breast implants in the upright position using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

“The approval of silicone gel implants has expanded the options for women considering breast augmentation. Nevertheless, obtaining favorable patient outcomes is usually not about the implant, but, rather sound surgical decision making and techniques. Advances in breast augmentation surgery have been realized in the past five years that reduce complications, re-operations and recovery time. Partnered with these advanced practices silicone gel implants can provide patients with superb results and high levels of satisfaction,” said Dr. Adams.

According to recent data from ASAPS, 2006 was the first year in which breast augmentation was the top surgical procedure for women, overtaking lipoplasty, which continues to remain the top overall surgical procedure. In 2006, there were 383,886 breast augmentation procedures-up 5 percent from 2005-according to the Society’s most recent statistics, of those 19% used silicone implants.

Silicone Gel Implants - What Are the Advantages?
Sunday, April 22nd, 8:00 am
Moderator: Foad Nahai, MD of Atlanta, GA
Panelists: William P. Adams, Jr., MD of Dallas, TX
Dennis C. Hammond, MD of Grand Rapids, MI
G. Patrick Maxwell, MD of Nashville, TN
Michael Scheflan, MD of Tel Aviv, Israel

The 2400-member American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) is the only plastic surgery organization devoted entirely to the advancement of cosmetic surgery. ASAPS is recognized throughout the world as the authoritative source for cosmetic surgery education. U.S. members are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Canadian members are certified in plastic surgery by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Toll-free referral line: 888.ASAPS.11 (272.7711). Web site: http://www.surgery.org/